Alerts & Notices

Alerts

Due to an increase in bear encounters in Panthertown, where campers have had to leave campsites and hikers have retreated from a local trail, the U. S. Forest Service strongly recommends back country campers use bear resistant containers for all food and scented items.

“Bears quickly learn that a good food source is available at campsites where people have not properly stored their food and trash. We recommend no overnight camping without bear proof containers and some form of personal protection in the back country,” said District Ranger Mike Wilkins. “This will help reduce bear encounters until berries and other natural foods become available. Also, it is advisable to avoid abandoning food containers, backpacks, and other items to a bear one may encounter to avoid teaching the bear to associate people with food.”

If you carry bear pepper spray, use one rated as bear spray by the EPA and follow recommendations.

Due to an increase in bear encounters in Panthertown, where campers have had to leave campsites and hikers have retreated from a local trail, the U. S. Forest Service strongly recommends back country campers use bear resistant containers for all food and scented items.

“Bears quickly learn that a good food source is available at campsites where people have not properly stored their food and trash. We recommend no overnight camping without bear proof containers and some form of personal protection in the back country,” said District Ranger Mike Wilkins. “This will help reduce bear encounters until berries and other natural foods become available. Also, it is advisable to avoid abandoning food containers, backpacks, and other items to a bear one may encounter to avoid teaching the bear to associate people with food.”

If you carry bear pepper spray, use one rated as bear spray by the EPA and follow recommendations.